THE CALIFORNIA ELECTIONS / A VOTERS' HANDBOOK: DECISION '98 | Schools: The Candidates and Their Positions on Education Issues in Orange County

Anaheim City School District (Three seats)

Issues: Opposes putting Wal-Mart on vacant Crest View school site because old sites may be needed to ease overcrowding; supports televised meetings and transcripts published on the Internet to make board more accessible to public; supports full implementation of English immersion programs and a back-to-basics curriculum

Carol Kanode

Age: 61

Occupation: School nurse; incumbent

Background: Master's degree in education, Pepperdine University; co-founder, Huntington Youth Shelter; chairman, Huntington Beach Children's Task Force; named 1994 Woman of the Year by former Assemblywoman Doris Allen and California School Nurse of the Year in 1992; volunteers with therapeutic riding center; member, American Assn. of University Women and Assistance League; nurse practitioner in pediatrics

Issues: Reduced class sizes in more grades; would start after-school program with city that focuses on homework and recreation; wants uniform method of tracking student progress from kindergarten through high school

Tracy Pellman

Age:43

Occupation: Registered nurse; incumbent

Background: Member, Huntington Beach Children's Task Force, Club 100 of United Way, American Heart Assn., American Academy of Pediatrics and violence prevention committee, Teacher Center Policy Board and other medical and educational organizations; has lived in district since 1978

Issues: Would continue expanding class-size reduction and technology programs; encourage partnerships with parents and businesses and expand music and fine arts program

Jim Peters

Age: 42

Occupation: Educational consultant

Background: Was involved in a high-profile court case in 1994, when district wanted to move his 7-year-old son, Jimmy Peters, into special education classes because officials said he was prone to violent outbursts. District spent more than $200,000 unsuccessfully fighting Peters in court. Peters now says he counsels other districts and parents on legal issues

Issues: Wants to bring in new technology; opposes leasing vacant Crest View school site to Wal-Mart; wants to stop "social promotion" of children in academic trouble and provide tutoring instead

Pam Walker

Age: 41

Occupation: Controller for an advertising agency; incumbent

Background: Former treasurer and president, Circle View School PTA; former treasurer for Robinwood Little League, St. Bonaventure Boy Scouts and Circle View Girl Scouts; involved with football booster club at Marina High School; served on committee for school district reorganization at Orange County Department of Education

Issues: Bring class-size reduction to more grade levels and expand fine-arts programs; would continue funding for more capital improvements; growth in all curriculum and in teacher training

Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District

(Two seats)

Cathy Ann Brooks

Withdrew her bid for reelection

Karin M. Freeman

Age: 51

Occupation: Former English instructor in Germany; former customer service manager; incumbent

Background: Has served on board for nine years; bachelor's degree, UC Irvine; former president, Parent Teacher Assn. at Linda Vista Elementary; former member, Site Council; former board member, Yorba Linda Elementary School District, now defunct; board member, North Orange County Regional Occupational Program; president, Orange County School Boards Assn.; 14-year member, Yorba Linda Chamber of Commerce, including member of chamber's education and legislative committees; member, steering committee, North Orange County Leadership Institute; founding member and archivist, Yorba Linda Heritage Museum

Issues: Focus on delivering a comprehensive reading program dedicated to sharpening and strengthening student skills; focus on districtwide coordination of technology and integration of technology into the core curriculum; work on implementation of Proposition 227, the English-language instruction initiative

Jan Wagner

Age: 49

Occupation: Placentia-Yorba Linda Educational Foundation president

Background: Involved with school district 18 years, including past president of Parent Teacher Assn. at Fairmont Elementary School and Bernardo Yorba Middle School; board member, Esperanza High School PTA; member, Vocal Music Boosters at Esperanza; member, Placentia and Yorba Linda Chamber of Commerce education committees; board member, district's PTA Council; steering committee member, North Orange County Leadership Institute at Cal State Fullerton

Issues: Supports a greater emphasis on technology training and critical-thinking skills to prepare students for 21st century careers; supports setting high standards and developing strategies to assure students meet or exceed standards; as teacher shortage worsens, supports putting more emphasis on district training program for new teachers and programs assigning experienced teachers as mentors